Is the Meat you indulge in safe?

The other day I was purchasing meats from my local butchery and I was quick to notice the difference in chunks of meat hang on the wall. I decided to take my time and watch this particular butcher whether this is a normality he has or it was just for the day.

Interestingly, one day early in the morning I met him sprinkling meat with a solution which I later found that the meat had changed colour and looked very fresh and appealing to customers. So now, was this solution sodium nitrate or sodium nitrite? YES!

The question is why should you care the type of red meat you purchase? As a nutritionist I condemn the use of red meat profusely but then again there is that occasional indulgence that you wish to have especially with your friends or just wish to taste something different. That is definately allowed.

Now to know the difference of the meats that have been treated with sodium nitrate component, just look at the meats offered on display in the supermarkets. stores like Nakumatt have heavy loads of meat that are normally looking very appetizing for the customers. While if compared to meats from some butcheries it looks too different! The butchers nowadays have resulted in sprinkling their meat with this sodium nitrate/ sodium nitrite solution so as to improve appearance and keep being in business.

Without knowing you may fall in love with your butcher simply because he or she always has fresh looking meat. But here are the dangers:

Sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite are food additives commonly used in cured meat. Its main function is to inhibit clostridium botulinum bacteria from producing the toxin that causes botulism. Botulism is a life-threatening illness that results in paralysis and eventually death. Nitrate combined with salt is extremely effective at inhibiting the growth of clostridium botulinum. Sodium nitrate also contributes to the flavor and pink color of cured meats.

The main concern is that it can form carcinogenic compounds called nitrosamines when added to meat products. Nitrosamines have been linked to bladder, colon, esophageal, and gastric cancers.

In kenya you might be at a risk of:

Inhibited Oxygen Transportation

Your body relies on sufficient production of hemoglobin to ensure that all internal systems get the oxygen they need to function properly. Normally this is because, a diet high in sodium nitrites may lead to a health condition called methemoglobinemia, which is the inability of your red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout your body. This condition causes respiratory problems and can be fatal. Reducing your intake of foods with sodium nitrites can help prevent this condition.

May Cause Cancer

The reaction that your body has to the ingestion of sodium nitrite can vary depending on how much of it you consume from foods. The salts in sodium nitrites can cause a reaction that produces a chemical called nitrosamines, which increase your risk of developing cancer. Cancer research analysts say that sodium nitrites can lead to gastrointestinal and brain cancer. Restricting your intake can help prevent these reactions from occurring.

Increase in Childhood Type 1 Diabetes Risk

Type 1 diabetes can occur in infants and young children when their pancreas does not have the ability to produce insulin. This can be a life-threatening condition if insulin levels are not monitored closely. High intake of sodium nitrites while pregnant may increase your baby's risk of developing type 1 diabetes. This risk is higher for male babies and occurs because of your body's reaction to sodium nitrite. The risk of juvenile type 1 diabetes can also occur if your water supply is high in sodium nitrites and you drink it while pregnant or offer it to your young children.

Other Effects

Eating a diet high in foods that contain sodium nitrites can cause irritation to your digestive system, including your mouth, esophagus and stomach. If irritation occurs, you may experience pain, particularly abdominal pain. High consumption of sodium nitrites is also associated with damage to your blood and your blood vessels. At toxic levels, sodium nitrites can also lead to rapid heart rate and difficulty breathing.

Look at this picture attached above and spot the difference in the meat

While the meat on the left is healthy, that on the right is cured with sodium nitrate! 

chicken and fish are also not left out and are usually cured to look as fresh while they may be as old as one month since they were slaughtered! Always buy chicken from the people who slaughter them upfront. As well, the chicken nowadays is cured with hormones to accelerate growth. Well that is a subject for another day.

Meanwhile, as you probably indulge in that nyama choma or buy meat from your butcher, be careful to spot the difference in butchers and then make a choice.. you have the information now..

Any comments and concerns you can post here.

Nduta

Nutrition counsellor.